5 Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

Compact Fluorescent LightsEnergy and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Not only do CFL bulbs provide a whiter, cleaner light,Agency). Such products can save you money since
they actually use up to 70% less energy thanthey require less energy to operate and help protect
traditional incandescent bulbs. In addition, justthe environment by reducing greenhouse gas
replacing your most used lights in your home (thinkemissions.
the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms) can save youAdd Greenery
hundreds of dollars on your utilities bill every year.Planting trees, bushes, and other shrubs near your
Programmable Thermostathome can actually help reduce your cooling and
Why pay to heat or cool your house while no one isheating costs. How? They provide shade in the
there? If you haven't done so already, considersummer and insulation in the winter. Not to mention
installing a programmable thermostat allowing you tothey will provide beautiful greenery for your
program the temperature inside your home duringlandscaped yard.
set times of the day. Turn the thermostat backSlow the Flow
when you are not home or sleeping - a few degreesInstalling low-flow showerheads and faucets (Grohe
up in the summer and a few degrees down in thefaucets have some great options) allow you to use
winter. You won't notice a difference in theless water without sacrificing water pressure (who
temperature but you'll see substantial savings on yourwants to bathe in a trickle?). They may be more
heating and cooling bill.than traditional ones initially but you will quickly make
Purchase Energy-Starup the difference once you see the difference in
Appliances and products that are Energy-Staryour water bill. In fact, slow-flow faucets and
approved mean they have meet strict efficiencyshowerheads can save a family of four more than
standards set by the government (Energy-Star is a$300 a year on their water bill.
joint program between the U.S. Department of